ISLAMABAD: All the logic and arguments of Asif Ali Zardari and his second tier leadership against Rangers’ crackdown are like a frustrated effort to protect the corrupt and the mafia of Karachi. For sustainable peace in the city, the Rangers are now focusing on corruption and mafia, which has a direct or indirect link with crime and terrorism. However, Zardari considered it as an attack on the PPP and its government and thus warned the military: “Stop targeting us or we’ll turn everything upside down.” As the Rangers launched its offensive against corruption, land grabbing, smuggling of Iranian oil, China-cutting and extortions, the PPP became uncomfortable and frustrated with its topmost leader making a speech full of threats for the army and the generals. He might have something concrete to talk against several generals like Musharraf but how this argument could work to stop Rangers from doing what is direly needed for Karachi and is in the best interest of the country. Some good work of Rangers or the military establishment should not be rejected for any past wrong of a general or even the military establishment. There is no principle involved in the frustrated outburst of Zardari. The warning like “don’t touch us” otherwise “the Generals skeletons would pour out of the cupboards” is what was least expected from a former president. It would have been better, rather appreciable, if Zardari or his leaders had taken a stand for upholding the rule of law. They should have demanded that like politicians and members of the bureaucracy the accountability of generals, who had abrogated the constitution or played with the system, should be ensured. Instead, the PPP is objecting, warning and using blackmailing tactics to stop the crackdown against the corrupt and mafia in Karachi. “Stop victimising us or we will tear you limb from limb ...... so be advised... you have been warned, you have been warned, you have been warned,” this is how Zardari reacted to the NAB and Rangers’ recent crackdown. If a corrupt bureaucrat is arrested by NAB, if members of land grabbing mafia is rounded up by Rangers or if any politician found involved in criminal activity is summoned for explanation, how all this becomes “victimisation of the PPP”. The strategy adopted by Asif Ali Zardari would harm the PPP more than anyone else. During his rule from 2008 to 2013 Zardari, instead of checking corruption or improving governance, had termed every action of the judiciary against loot and plunder as “conspiracy against the system”. Being head of the PPP he should have focused on good governance and curbing corruption in the Sindh government for which Rangers’ and NAB are of great help. But neither he is doing that nor the second tier PPP leadership appears interested in good governance. Consequently the PPP, which was restricted only to interior Sindh in the 2013 elections, has also badly lost all the recent elections. Corruption and bad governance continue to be linked with the PPP. What Zardari said on Tuesday has also a lesson for the military establishment which has been protecting the retired generals including Musharraf from being tried for their serious wrongs like abrogating the constitution, using the ISI for political means and bribing political parties etc. The institution of Army must be respected by all. Similarly the political parties, enjoying the mandate of the people, should have the right to rule. However, in both the cases neither the institution nor the mandate be used by either side to protect the wrongdoings or illegalities of any individual. Rule of law should remain the guiding principle as well as the objective.
